Black Diamond Recon Stretch Shell - Women's Review

Black Diamond manufactures a wide range of quality products for the outdoor world, and we are very impressed by this high-tech hardshell offering. We were also wowed by the quality of technical hardshell they offer at a great price, earning this jacket our recommendation for those looking for top notch performance in a ski touring shell without breaking the bank. The stretch in the BD.dry waterproof/breathable fabric is unique for a weatherproof hardshell and greatly improves the comfort and fit of this product. This jacket has a stylish, relaxed, and tapered silhouette that is at home ripping the resort or in the backcountry. We loved how this jacket was comfortable from the outset and had the burl to ride lifts all day in a storm combined with the ventilation to work hard on the way up or down.

Performance Comparison

The BD Recon Stretch right at home on a favorite backcountry tour in Southwest Colorado.

Weather Resistance

The Recon Stretch is made of Black Diamond's proprietary BD.dry material. It is a three-layer hardshell with 4-way stretch integrated and a DWR coating. It has a 20,000mm waterproof rating, more than sufficient for heavy, wet snow, and rain. We noticed that water beaded off with ease during our shower test and did not pool or saturate the material. Underneath, the removable powder skirt keeps the elements out from the inside.

The construction of the jacket is also strong, with fully taped seams and DWR coated zippers. The front zipper is also taped, not sewn in, which provides an extra layer of weather resistance. We did not experience any leaking or chilly drafts when skiing at high speeds. The large helmet-compatible hood with two drawstrings and a high collar provide ideal protection on storm days.

A removeable powder skirt on the Recon Stretch adds an extra layer of weather resistance when you need it. We like how it can be removed when you don't.

Comfort and Fit

This shell fits a little on the large side, which we like for the extra room to bulk up on layers underneath. The 4-way stretch of BD.dry allows for enough movement to be comfortable skiing and riding hard, bootpacking, and touring uphill. Additionally, the construction of the jacket in this stretchy material means that a fully zipped hood retains enough mobility to comfortably turn one's head and maintain visibility. We love that we can remain weatherproofed without sacrificing mobility. While fuzzy linings are sparse on this shell, the tricot backing on the zipper allows it to rest softly when you are fully bundled, including in the collar.

The Recon Stretch has slight tapering and a longer cut that is flattering and functional. This prevents too much bulk around the waist, making it comfortable to wear a pack over on storm days. There is also still enough room to use the internal drop pockets without crushing their contents. The pockets and features lie smoothly against your frame. Even the powder skirt doesn't pull or bunch awkwardly. We also love that we can remove the powder skirt when we don't need it, providing a more sleek feeling by taking out unnecessary material when the conditions don't require it.

The stretch in the Recon Stretch working well here for the many transitions of a long day of touring. It allows great shoulder mobility and is comfortable under a pack.

Warmth

As a shell, this jacket has no insulation and consequently received a lower mark in this category. Note that this might be what you're looking for if you prefer to layer underneath a shell to fit the current day's temperature. The breathability and supple feel of this shell come at a cost to warmth, but if we had adequate layers underneath, we were impressed by its protective and wind-breaking qualities.

We noticed that this model is a touch more permeable to wind than the burliest hardshells out there, but we actually prefer the compromise Black Diamond made here to achieve a flexible, mobile, and more breathable shell. This helps this model be a great option for the backcountry while still providing sufficient wind blockage to keep you warm at the resort, provided that you wear appropriate layers underneath. It should be noted that maintaining proper temperature and not sweating through your baselayers can help you stay warmer throughout the day.

The lack of lining on the Recon Stretch doesn't get great marks for warmth, but it is great for adjusting layers as you need. Also pictured are the two internal mesh drop pockets great for skins, goggles, or snacks.

Ventilation

This jacket shines in this metric. The shell material was extremely breathable, allowing heat to escape and moisture to wick away even with all vents closed. This means not as much fussing around with layers and staying dry longer on the inside. This is key for maintaining the appropriate temperature and comfort from first to last chair.

To increase airflow when working hard or on warm, slushy days, the gaping pit zips with no mesh liners allow for quick heat release. These zippers are DWR treated to keep snow out and equipped with large rubber grips to let air in easily.

The large, open pit zips of the Recon Stretch are great for rapid heat release when the breathability of the shell isn't enough.

Style

The no-frills design of this shell is sleek and classic. The smooth, taped zippers are on-trend, and the longer, slightly tapered cut is feminine without forcing the issue. The slightly oversized cut and longer hemline have a trendy freeride look. The muted tones and neutral color options will match a wide variety of personal styles and stay relevant for years to come. Our reviewers received many compliments while testing this jacket.

The smooth taped zippers and slightly longer cut of the Recon Stretch are feminine but not forced.

Ski Features

The ski features on the BD Recon Stretch are geared toward backcountry use but will work well for the resort, too. Two large internal drop pockets work well for storing your goggles or climbing skins. The hand pockets are large. Reaching upward into the jacket's front panels, we have a hard time imagining a ski accessory that wouldn't fit. There is a low profile pass pocket on the upper left arm, good for a ski pass or small cards and keys that you may not want to risk pulling out when checking your phone. The only pocket this jacket might be missing is an internal pocket with a zipper that keeps its contents warm and extra dry.

We love the removable powder skirt and wish that every jacket had this, as we think it can feel restrictive on anything but the deepest days. Even when it's attached, the powder skirt in this option adds minimal bulk, ready to snap into action. When the powder skirt is not in use, the drawcord on the hem can help keep light snow and drafts from creeping into your base layers. The cuffs have unique rubber grips on the hook and loop closures to allow quick adjustments with gloves on.

We really liked how the rubber construction of the Recon Stretch cuff adjusters resisted freezing and caking with snow, keeping snow and most drafts out.

Value

We think that the level of technology Black Diamond offers at this price point is remarkable. It is high performing and versatile, able to fill a one-shell quiver. This jacket has the potential to work as mainly a resort shell that transitions to backcountry tours if you need it. Relatedly, its only downside is that it won't provide any additional insulation. We also had some hesitations about the durability of this new, stretchy windproof/waterproof material. We haven't been able to put it through multiple seasons of use yet to see how its longevity fares. For a high-tech shell, we think this price is a bargain relative to other high-performing ski shells.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a hardshell that allows you the freedom to insulate as you please and won't break the bank doing so, we recommend the Recon Stretch Shell. With just the right amount of functional features and waterproof, windproof, breathable fabric, this shell is high performing and versatile. Add this to its sleek style, and this shell is an excellent option.

A hardshell that's at home in the backcountry, the Recon Stretch will transition into resort skiing easily too.